ARGENTINE Pope Francis has risked the wrath of his nation… by snubbing Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona as the best footballer of all time.
The 86-year-old has previously gushed over the skills of his compatriots, who themselves are often worshipped by fans in their homeland.
Quizzed about which he believes is truly the greatest to ever lace up a pair of football boots, Pope Francis produced a surprising answer – neither.
While speaking to TV programme TG1, he was simply asked: "Messi or Maradona?"
He replied: "I add a third: Pele."
Pope Francis then elaborated on the late Maradona, claiming he "failed as a man".
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The head of the Catholic Church added: "Maradona as a player, a great, a great one.
"The poor man slipped with those who praised him and did not help him. He came to see me here and then the poor thing had the final of him."
Moving on to Messi, Pope Francis made his stunning admission.
He continued: "Messi is very correct, he is a gentleman. But for me, of these three, the great one is Pele."
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On the late Brazilian, who inspired Argentina's great rivals to three World Cup triumphs, Pope Francis gushed: "I have spoken with Pele.
"I once met him on a plane when he was going to Buenos Aires, he is a man with such great humanity. But all three of them are great."
Back in 2019, Pope Francis responded to a fan who asked if it was sacrilege to suggest that Messi is "God".
Appearing on La Sexta's Salvados show, he said: "In theory, it is sacrilege. You can’t say it and I don’t believe it.
"I think people say 'he is God' just as they say 'I adore you,' but only God can be worshipped.
"Those are expressions from people. “This is a God with the ball on the field” is a popular way for someone to express themselves.
"Of course, he is very good, but he isn't God."
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